Youth attend Headspace roundtable

The Minister for Mental Health and Ageing says he expects Newcastle's new Headspace service will make big inroads into depression, substance abuse and other mental health issues affecting young people.

Mark Butler held a roundtable discussion with about 20 young people at the Loft in Newcastle yesterday to hear their views about mental health issues affecting the region's youth.

The Federally-funded Headspace Centre opens in January 2013 and Mr Butler says he is confident it will offer support services that are relevant to local needs.

"We need to build services that invite them in, that they feel comfortable going in and seeking help as early as possible," he said.

"Young people currently aren't doing that and that's why we're building Headspace services.

"So it was a really good opportunity to talk that challenge through with young people here in Newcastle.

"They're obviously engaged in a whole range of services and so it was a good valuable discussion."

The lack of support services in Newcastle for homeless youth was raised during the roundtable discussion.

Volunteer youth worker Kirk Upton says intervention measures are needed to stop young people ending up on the street.

"And as they go through high school even primary school it's just so damaging to their mental health," he said.

"It's good that we're starting to look at prevention measures to see them get through these stages of their life successfully without further problems," he said.

"Preventative measures are of utmost importance."

Michaela Ferguson says she pointed-out during the discussion that barriers will need to be broken down to encourage young people to use the service.

"I think Headspace will start that habit of checking in on yourself in young people," she said.

"So that when they do become older they will know that okay, there are psychologists that can help me deal with this, it's not just something you need to keep to yourself."